Rafael Jodar Explains Why His Team Consists of Only His Father: “I See No Reason to Change It”

Rafael Jodar will be facing World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open quarterfinals.

Rafael Jodar Explains Why His Team Consists of Only His Father: “I See No Reason to Change It”

Rafael Jodar and his father (circle) (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, The Guardian)

In Short
  • Rafael Jodar won his first ATP title at the Grand Prix Hassan II and reached the Masters 1000 quarterfinals for the first time.
  • He attributes his success to his father being the sole member of his team, stating they will not change what is working.
  • Jodar is set to face World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open quarterfinals, who acknowledges Jodar's potential as a future star.

Rafael Jodar is another sensation and is already considered a candidate to form another Big 3 alongside Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal‘s uncle and former coach, has already seen a “very high potential” in the youngster.

Jodar, who lifted his career’s first tour-level in the ATP 250 Grand Prix Hassan II with a straight-set victory over Marco Trungelliti this year, will be playing in a Masters 1000 quarterfinal for the first time in his career. After making his Madrid Open main draw debut against Jesper De Jong, Jodar registered his career-best win over World No.8 Alex de Minaur before he overcame Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca.

After his quarterfinals win over Vit Kopriva, Jodar explained why his team consists of only his father, who is also named Rafael Jodar. He said at the press conference:

The team has always been my father and me. For the moment, we’re not going to change it because it’s something that’s working, so I see no reasons to change it. Everything will continue just the same.

Jodar made his Masters 1000 main draw debut in this year’s Indian Wells (lost in the first round). He then made the third round of the Miami Open after qualifying for the main draw. Before arriving in Madrid, the 19-year-old reached the semifinals of the Barcelona Open, losing the match to Arthur Fils.

Rafael Jodar will face Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open quarterfinals

Rafael Jodar will face perhaps the toughest challenge in the ongoing event because he will next be up against none other than World No.1 Jannik Sinner. The Italian ace believes the Spaniard is “going to be a great, great player in the future“.

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/4K JANNIK SINNER)

It will be a very tough match, that’s for sure. I will try to bring my best level and learn a lot from that match. I approach it with the same mentality as in these previous matches, with the confidence that I will have my chances if I do things right. I will take it point by point; it’s still a long way to consider that question.

Rafael Jodar said at the press conference

Sinner, who knocked out Cameron Norrie before setting up the Jodar clash, is chasing his fifth consecutive Masters 1000 titles. Before his Monte-Carlo Masters win over Carlos Alcaraz, the four-time Major champion became the eighth man to complete the Sunshine Double by defeating Daniil Medvedev at the Indian Wells Masters and Jiri Lehecka in the Miami Open final.

I know that if I do things right and maintain a good mindset throughout the match, maybe there’s a possibility of me winning. You have to do things well, the things I have been doing so far. Eventually, all opponents are tough; they all play well, so you have to focus on what you do and not so much on what your opponent does.

Rafael Jodar added

Sinner, who is the second man after Novak Djokovic to win the first three Masters 1000s of the season, is bidding to become the first man in history to win the first four Masters 1000s of the season.

Sinner has yet to progress to the semifinals of the Madrid Open. And, in fact, the Madrid event is the only Masters 1000 where he has never advanced past the quarterfinals.

Before this year, the only time Sinner reached the last eight in the Spanish capital was in 2024 (handed the walkover to Felix Auger-Aliassime), while last year, his doping ban forced him to skip the event. Last year on the clay swing, the 24-year-old reached the finals of the Italian Open and the French Open, losing both to Alcaraz.

Also read: Alexander Zverev’s Mystery Injury Admission Raises Concerns Ahead of Madrid Open 4th Round